Compress



Dec. 24, 1957 P. P. PETERS 2,817,288

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COMPRESS a Shets-Sheet s PETE I? PETER-S 'WORREL a 'H5R2/6 A TTOR/VEVS mam Dec.'24, 1957 Filed 001:. 4. 1954 United States Patent Dflice 2,817,288 7 Patented Dec. 24, 1957 COMPRESS Pete P. Peters, Fresno, Calif., assignor to Valley Foundry & Machine Works, Inc., Fresno, Calif, a corporation of California Application October 4, 1954, Serial No. 459,907 3 Claims. (Cl. 10052) The present invention relates to compresses and more particularly to a compress suited to continuous, periodic, aperiodic feed and automatic discharge of compressed materials.

The expressing of liquids from source materials thereof has heretofore been a batch operation, tedious to perform, excessively limited in its capacity, time consuming and generally unsatisfactory. These problems are encountered in innumerable situations and are characterized by the pressing of juices from fruits such as grapes and apples; the pressing of juices from vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes and cabbages; the pressing of oils from nuts and seeds; and the pressing of residual water containing sugar from food pulp previously subjected to known juice extracting processes. The present invention arose as a solution to problems encountered in the latter extractive operation and more particularly in the expressing of water containing sugar and other desired constituents from raisin pulp conventionally constituting a Waste product of the raisin brandy industry. In such operation the present invention has made possible the rapid and effective expressing of residual fluids so economically as to render commercially feasible the salvaging of constituents of the raisins previously discarded. For descriptive convenience, the invention is referred to in connection with its effective solution of the extraction of fluids and fluid born materials from such raisin pulp, it being understood that the invention is in no sense limited to such illustrative operational environment.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved compress adapted for automatic operation in the expressing of fluids from source material thereof.

Another object is to provide a compress adapted for substantially continuous operation insofar as the problems of feeding the press with work material and removing treated material therefrom are concerned.

Another object is to provide a compress including a ram adapted for automatic reciprocation between compressing and retracted positions which subjects materials passed therethrough to substantially equal maximum extractive pressures.

Another object is to provide a compress having a ramming chamber with a closure member closing the discharge end of the chamber and having a ram adapted to compress materials against the closure member, the closure member being adapted to open when predetermined pressure is built up by the ram against the closure member.

Another object is to provide a compress, as in the foregoing paragraph, wherein the closure member is adapted to move to a closing position simultaneously severing the discharged material from that remaining in the ramming chamber when the ram is in retracted position.

Another object is to synchronize movements of the ram and closure member as set forth above.

Another object is to provide an hydraulic system for accomplishing the foregoing objects.

Another object is to provide a compress having a perforate ramming chamber for releasing fluids extracted from material compressed therein.

Another object is to provide a compress having a compartmented receptacle for receiving fluids extracted from materials compressed therein.

Another object is to provide a compress in which is mounted a ram and having a ramming chamber including a delivery opening for receiving materials to be compressed and providing means associated with the ram for closing the delivery opening during the compression stroke of the ram and opening the delivery opening during the retraction stroke of the ram.

Another object is to provide a compress of durable construction adapted to produce and Withstand exceedingly high compression pressure, adapted for substantially continuous operating including delivery of materials into a ramming chamber, compression of such materials, ex traction of fluids from the materials during compression, collection of such fluids, discharge of the compressed material, and severance of such discharged material from that remaining in the compression chamber.

These and other objects will become more fully apparent upon reference to the following description.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the apparatus embodying the principles of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken in elevation along a vertical plane indicated by line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end elevation of the apparatus as seen from a position at the left end of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken in elevation along a plane indicated by line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken in elevation along a plane indicated by line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of the hydraulic system constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings:

As best seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the compress provides a support frame including a pair of spaced longitudinal base rails 10 with base rails 11 transversely connected at spaced positions therealong. Support posts 12 are attached at the intersecting corners of the base rails and at spaced positions along the longitudinal rails and extend in upright manner therefrom. A pair of elongated channels 13 are attached, as by welding, on the top of the support posts and extend longitudinally of the apparatus and endwardly beyond the posts at the right side of the apparatus, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to the left end of Fig. 1 and to Fig. 3, there is seen a pair of extension plates 15 mounted on the inside surfaces of the channels 13 and extended endwardly thereof. A pair of elongated transverse mounting plates 16 are secured, as by bolts, to the extension plates and spacer blocks 17 are provided between the plates to hold the mounting plates in desired spaced relation. A pair of elongated tie rods 18 extend longitudinally of the apparatus in transverse spaced relation. The rods extend between the mounting plates at one end and are each provided at such end with enlarged heads 19. The opposite ends of the rods are reduced in diameter and are provided with threads, as at 20.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 5, in particular, a plurality of support plates 25, each having an upper arcuate flanged edge 26 and a central opening 27, is seen. Each plate further has a pair of apertures 28 whereby the plate is slidably fitted over the tie rods 1.8. The endmost support plate abuts against a shoulder of the tie rod formed by the reduced threaded end 20 thereof. A plurality of flat vertically disposed end plates 29 having aligned apertures, collectively indicated at 30, are fitted thereby over the threaded end of the tie rods against the endmost support plate. The end plates provide a central opening 31 aligned with the central openings 27 in the support plates and a vertically disposed slot 32 is provided laterally of opening 31. The central plate 33 of the end plates has an integral upwardly extended inverted U-shaped portion 34 providing a cross bar 35, the purpose of which is described hereinafter. Washers 36 are fitted on the tie rods between heads 19 and mounting plate 16 and nuts 37 are threadably received on the ends of the rods thereby to apply longitudinal constraint to the end plates and mounting plates.

An elongated substantially cylindrical foraminous ramming housing or cylinder 40 is fitted in the aligned openings 27 and 31 and defines interiorly thereof a ramming chamber 41 having a discharge end 42 adjacent to the slot 32 and an arcuate cut-out segment 43, defining an inlet area or opening 44. The housing has a plurality of closely spaced apertures, holes or perforations 45 throughout its entire periphery.

Although the ramming housing 40 is of rigid material, preferably cast iron or steel, the exceedingly high compression pressures employed make reinforcement desirable, especially to compensate for any weakness incident to the provision of perforations 45. Thus a substantially cylindrical reinforcing framework, generally indicated at 50, is provided. This framework includes a plurality of interconnected fracto-cylindrical webbed members 51, four such members being utilized in the disclosed embodiment. Each segment has a plurality of longitudinal spaced fracto-circular bands 52 and a plurality of peripherally spaced longitudinal ribs 53 connected to the bands. The segments are fitted around the ramming housing and are clamped in such position by bolts 54 inserted through the endmost bands and the adjacent support plates 25. It will be noted that the endmost band adjacent to the cut-out segment 43 of the ramming housing provides an annular projection 55. Opposite segments forming together a cylindrical form are attached by bolts 56, as seen in Fig. 5.

An enlarged casting 60 is mounted in the frame and provides a vertically disposed rectangular portion 61 fitted in the cut-out segment 43 of the ramming housing 40. The rectangular portion provides a lateral semicircular opening 62 fitted over the annular projection 55 of the endmost band 53 and an aligned semi-circular opening 63 oppositely disposed therefrom. The casting also includes oppositely extended arcuate support flanges 64 and 65 and an upper peripheral flange 66. The rectangular portion defines interiorly thereof an inlet throat communicating with the inlet opening 44 of the ramming chamber 41.

A cylindrical extension 67 is fitted over the end of the ramming housing 40 and has a rim 68 fitted against the casting 60. Bolts 69 are extended through the endmost band 52 and rim 68 for threaded engagement with the casting thereby to secure these members tightly together. The extension 67 is counterbored at 70 and a packing collar 71 is mounted therein by bolts 72 whereby the collar may be adjusted to provide a space for packing seals or rings 73.

A ramming platen or ram 76 is mounted in the extension 67 and is provided with an elongated sleeve 77 attached thereto and bearing against the inner wall of the extension and adapted to slide interiorly of the ramming housing 40. An hydraulic cylinder 78 having a mounting stub 79 is positioned within the sleeve with the stud extended between the mounting plate 16 and attached thereto by a bolt 80. A piston 81 is mounted in the cylinder for reciprocation therein and a piston rod 82 is connected between the piston and the ramming platen. An inlet-outlet conduit 83 for carrying fiuid to and from the cylinder is provided at one end of the cylinder and a similar conduit 84 is provided at the opposite end thereof. When fluid enters the cylinder through conduit 33, the ramming platen moves toward compression or eX- tended position and when fluid enters via conduit 84, said platen moves toward retracted position, as shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, in particular, it will be noted that an hydraulic cylinder is pivotally attached to the cross bar 35. A piston 91 is mounted in the cylinder for reciprocal movement therein and a piston rod 92 depends downwardly therefrom. A gate or closure member 93 is attached to the piston rod and is fitted in the slots 32 for slidable movement therein. The gate preferably has a downwardly disposed bevelled knife edge 94, for a purpose soon to be described. Inlet-outlet conduits 94 and 95 are connected to opposite ends of cylinder 90 alternately to admit and release fluid to the cylinder to raise and to lower the gate.

A compartmented receptacle is mounted in the apparatus by connection thereof to the rim 68 and to one of the endmost bands and support plates, 52 and 25, respectively. The receptacle is provided with partitions 1G1 dividing the receptacle into several compartments 102 which are disposed beneath successive lengths of the ramming housing 40. It will be noted that a portion 103 of the receptacle is considerably shallower than a portion 104 thereof. Each of the compartments is provided with an outlet opening 165 in which are threadably fitted closure plugs 106. h

The hydraulic system provided in the present invention is best been by reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 6. A fluid reservoir or tank is mounted in the frame and inlet and outlet conduits 111 and 112 are connected thereto. A fluid pump 113 is also provided and is in driven connection with an electric motor 114 mounted in the frame on a suitable support plate 115. Conduit 112 is connected to the low pressure side of the pump and a high pressure conduit 116 is connected to the outlet of the pump.

A two-Way reversing valve 120 is supported in the mounting plates 16, as seen in Fig. l, and is adapted to control the reciprocal movement of the ramming platen 76. For this purpose, the valve 120 has two positions of operation and is positioned alternately in such positions by a pair of control or triggering valves 121 and 122. Specifically, a conduit 123 connects the high pressure conduit 116 to the reversing valve and a conduit 124 connects the reversing valve to conduit 111 leading to the reservoir 110. The conduits 83 and 84 are also connected to the reversing valve and by shifting the reversing valve between its two positions, fluid is made to flow from conduit 124 into conduit 33 and out of conduit 84 into conduit 124, and vice versa. A pair of conduits 125 and 126 are connected at opposite sides of the reversing valve and lead individually to the trigger valves. The trigger valves are adapted upon actuation to permit fluid to flow from one of the trigger valves into the reversing valve and simultaneously to permit fluid to flow from the reversing valve back to the other trigger valve through the respective conduits, and vice versa.

Trigger valve 121 is supported on the top mounting plate 16 at the opposite end from the reversing valve 120 and trigger valve 122 is mounted on a bracket 130 extended inwardly from one of the channels 13, as seen in Fig. 1. A conduit 131 connects the trigger valves and a further conduit 132 connected to conduit 131 leads to the high pressure conduit 116. Each of the trigger valves provides an outlet to the reservoir by means of conduits 133 and 134, the latter being connected to conduit 11].

The trigger valves 121 and 122 are adapted to be controlled by movements of the ramming platen 76 and for this purpose each trigger valve has a plunger 135 and 136 spring pressed to an outer position, as seen in Figs. 1 and 6, but adapted under pressure for movement to an inner position. In the outer position of the plunger, the trigger valves provide fluid communication between either conduit 123 or 124, depending upon the trigger valve under consideration, and the conduit 133, while in the inner position the trigger valves establish fluid communication.

between conduit 131 and either conduit 123 or 124, as the case may be.

A mounting arm 145 is attached to the side of sleeve 77 and mounts thereon a rod 146. At opposite ends of the rod are provided cam fingers 147 and 148 adapted in the retracted and extended positions, respectively, of the ramming platen 76 momentarily to engage and depress the plungers 135 and 136, respectively. In order to constrain the sleeve to longitudinal sliding movement only and to prevent rotation thereof, a guide sleeve 149 is slidably fitted to one of the tie rods 18 and is attached to the sleeve 77 by a bracket 150. This insures abutment of the cam fingers with the plungers during successive reciprocation of the ramming platen.

Another similarly constructed two-way reversing valve 158 is supported on the outer side of one of the channels 13 for controlling the gate 93. The conduits 95 and 96 are thus connected to this reversing valve. Conduit 159 connects the high pressure conduit 116 to the reversing valve 158 and conduit 160 connects the reservoir 110 thereto. Again, this valve has two positions of operation, one of which acts to raise the gate and the other of which lowers the gate. The gate movement is synchronized with movements of the ramming platen 76 and for this reason the reversing valve 160 is controlled from the hydraulic mechanism, above described, associated with the ramming platen.

A pair of pressure responsive triggering valves 161 and 1.62 are mounted on the channel 13 on opposite sides of the valve 160. One of the valves 161 is set to operate at a low pressure and the other Valve 162 is set to operate at a high pressure. The low pressure valve is connected by conduit 163 to the conduit 84 and the high pressure valve by conduit 164 to conduit 83. Normally the pressure responsive valves permit fluid flow therethrough from reversing valve 158 via conduits 165 and 166 to conduits 164 and 163, respectively. When a predetermined pressure exists in either conduit 163 or 164, however, the pressure responsive valves 162 or 161, respectively, permits fluid flow in the opposite direction therethrough from conduits 163 or 164 to conduits 162 or 161. Conduits 165 and 166, respectively, connect the pressure responsive valves 161 and 162 to the reversing valve 160. A needle valve 167 is connected by conduit 168 to conduit 165 and by conduit 169 to conduit 134 to permit a conrolled leak back to the reservoir 110.

A cover is provided for the apparatus and is preferably provided in two sections 175 and 176 both mounted on the upper flanged portions 26 of the support plates and the flange 64 and 65 of casting 60, as will be apparent.

Operation The operation of the described embodiment of this invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.

Assuming that the compress is in the condition shown in Figs. 1 and 2, material to be compressed is deposited in the delivery throat defined by the rectangular portion 61 of casting 66. This depositing may be continuous, periodic, or aperiodic, as desired. Such material may comprise raisins, grapes, apples or any of the innumerable other source materials for fluids it is desired to extract or materials from which it is desired to express fluids. The motor 114 is energized to initiate action of the hydraulic system. The pump 113 is thus started and fluid is drawn from the reservoir 110 through conduit 112 and forced out of the pump to conduit 116. Since the ramming platen 76 is now in its retracted position, the cam finger 147 bears against the plunger 135 to urge it into the depressed condition. Thus the triggering valve 121 is operated to provide fluid communication between the conduit 131 and the conduit 125. Fluid thus flows from the pump through conduit 132, conduit 131, through triggering valve 121, through conduit 125 and into the reversing valve 120. Concurrently therewith, fluid flows outwardly of the reversing valve 120 through conduit 126 into triggering valve 122 and out of the triggering valve 122 into conduit 133 back to the reservoir through conduit 134 and conduit 111. In the latter instance, it will be remembered from the foregoing description, that when the plunger 136 is in outer position, the triggering valve 122 provides fluid communication between the conduit 126 and the conduit 133.

In this particular position of operation, the reversing valve 120 provides fluid communication between the conduit 123 and the conduit 83 leading into the hydraulic cylinder '78. At the same time, the reversing valve 120 provides fluid communication between the conduit 84 and the conduit 124 leading back to the reservoir through conduit 111 thereby permitting discharge of fluid from cylinder '78 to the reservoir. With the valve thus positioned, fluid enters the cylinder 78 through conduit 83 to extend the ramming platen toward its compressing position.

The ramming platen 76 and sleeve 77 thus move longitudinally of the ramming housing 40 in the ramming chamber 41 and past the inlet opening 44 thereof to urge the materials deposited therein toward the gate 93 at the opposite end of the ramming chamber. When the ramming platen has reached its fully extended or compression position, the cam finger 148 abuts the plunger 136 to depress it into inner position. It is believed understood that at this time the cam finger 147 has moved out of engagement with plunger 135 thereby permitting the latter to move into outer position.

When plunger 136 moves to inner position, fluid communication is established between the conduit 131 and the conduit 126. Accordingly, pump 113 causes fluid to flow through conduit 132, conduit 131, through the triggering valve 122, through conduit 126 into the reversing valve 120. Concurrently therewith, fluid flows out of the reversing valve through conduit and through the triggering valve 121 to the conduit 133 and thence back to the reservoir through conduit 134 and conduit 111.

With the valves thus positioned, the reversing valve 120 is in its other position of operation wherein the valve connects the conduit 123 to the conduit 84 and connects the conduit 83 to the conduit 124. It will be readily apparent that this reversal of connection between these conduits permits fluid to flow into the hydraulic cylinder '78 through conduit 84 and out of such cylinder through conduit 83 thus urging the ramming platen 76 into vretracted position.

This, therefore, completes one full cycle of operation of the ramming platen. It should be noted that as the ramming platen '76 moves between retracted and extended position and return, the sleeve 77 moves therewith and gradually closes the inlet opening 44 to the ramming chamber 41 as it passes toward extended position. This seals off the materials still remaining in the rectangular portion 61 from those being compressed and prevents clogging of the apparatus. Additionally, the packing seal '73 is provided to prevent juices or other fluids from passing outwardly between the cylindrical extension 67 and the sleeve and also for the purpose of wiping the sleeve as it passes thereover. Again, it is to be noted that the guide sleeve 149 maintains the cam fingers 147, 148 in proper aligned relation with the plungers 135 and 136 during reciprocation of the ramming platen.

Several cycles of operation of the ramming platen are normally required before full compressive action takes place. During this period of time, the ramming platen moves successive charges of material to be compressed inwardly of the ramming chamber 41 toward the gate 93. Inasmuch as the ramming platen has a limited stroke, it will be readily apparent that only after several cycles is enough material collected in the ramming chamber to permit pressure being applied thereto by the ramming platen suflicient for expressing purposes. r

Therefore, assuming that the ramming chamber 41 is substantially full of material to be compressed, and further, assuming that such material fills the rectangular portion 61 of casting 60 up to the flange 66, the operation of the device is described to show the continuous nature thereof. When the ramming platen 76 engages the material in the ramming chamber in movement toward extended position, considerable pressure is placed thereon to compress the materials between the ramming platen and the gate 93. This squeezes the material and expresses or extracts fluids and juices therefrom which ooze outwardly of the ramming housing through perforations 45. These fluids are deposited in the several compartments 102 of the receptacle 100. It should be noted that the cover 176 acts to direct fluids sprayed or squirted thereagainst downwardly into the compartment. Several compartments have been provided to collect and separate the fluids and other materials extracted from the source materials depending upon their position in the ramming chamber. Thus, at the end of the ramming chamber adjacent to the gate, more solid materials are discharged with the extracted juices while at the inlet end juices alone predominate the extract.

When the pressure exerted by the ramming platen 76 against the raisin pulp or other source material reaches a predetermined amount, the pressure responsive trigger valve .162 is actuated to provide fluid communication between the conduit 163 and the conduit 166. This predetermined pressure in raisin pulp treatment is set for approximately 1500 lbs. per square inch. Obviously the invention is not limited to such a pressure and other pressures may be utilized, as desired. However, this permits fluid to flow into the reversing valve 153 through conduit 166 and out of this reversing valve through conduit 165 through the low pressure triggering valve 161, through conduit 164, thereby back to the reservoir through reversing valve 120 and conduit 124. It should be noted that, at this time, conduit 164 is connected to the conduit 84 through which fluid is being discharged from the cylinder 78. Therefore, the low pressure trigger valve 161 is not actuated and thus only permits fluid to flow from conduit 165 through such trigger valve into conduit 164.

The passage of fluid into the reversing valve 158 via conduit 166 urges such reversing valve into one of its positions of operation wherein conduit 159 is connected to the conduit 96 and conduit 95 is connected to the conduit 160. Therefore, fluid from pump 113 is forced through conduit 116, conduit 159, through the reversing valve 158, through conduit 96, into the hydraulic cylinder 90 controlling movements of the gate 93, out of such cylinder through conduit 95 into the reversing valve 158 and out of such valve into conduit 166 back to the reservoir 110. Thus the gate 93 is lifted slidably in the slot 30 into an upper or retracted position. Inasmuch as pressure is still being applied to the discharge end of the ramming chamber against the materials therein by the ramming platen 76, the compressed materials at the discharge end of the ramming chamber are moved outwardly through discharge opening 42.

Shortly after the gate 93 has opened and a quantity of compressed materials is forced outwardly of the ramming chamber 41, the ramming platen 76 reaches its fully compressed or extended position wherein the camming finger 148 engages and depresses the plunger 136. When this occurs, the trigger valve 122 connects the conduit 132 through conduit 131 to the conduit 126 to the reversing valve 120. Thus, fluid flows in a path from the pump 113 into the reversing valve 120 and out of such valve through conduit 125 into the triggering valve 121, now normally in static or bleeding position, and out such valve into conduit 133, conduit 134 and back to the reservoir 110 through conduit 111.

This urges the reversing valve 120 into its other position of operation whereby the conduit 1 23 is connected 8 to the reversing valve through the conduit 83 and the conduit 84 is connected through the reversing valve to the conduit 124 leading back to the reservoir 110. It will be readily apparent that this position of the reversing valve 120, as above explained, is eflective to retract the ramming platen 76.

Inasmuch as it is now desirable to close the gate 93 in order to condition it for a subsequent compression stroke of the ramming platen, the low pressure responsive trigger valve 161 is set to operate at a predetermined low pressure existing in the conduit 84, which pressure is conveniently the same as that required to retract the ramming platen 76. Accordingly, with the trigger valve 161 actuated, fluid is permitted to flow from the conduit 124 through trigger valve 161, through conduit 165 to the reversing valve 158. Concurrently therewith, fluid flows out of the reversing valve 158 through conduit 166 and through high pressure responsive trigger valve 162 into conduit 163 and back to the reservoir 110 through the reversing valve 120 and the conduit 124. It should be apparent from the foregoing description, that since the conduits 163 and 164 are connected, respectively, to the conduits 83 and 84, that the reversing valve 120 when actuated in either of its positions, is effective also to connect the conduits 163 and 164 to the same conduits as are connected to conduits 83 and 84.

The effect of trigger valve 161 is to position the reversing valve 158 in its other position of operation wherein the conduit 159 is connected to the conduit 95 and conduit 96 is connected to conduit 160, thereby permitting fluid to enter the hydraulic cylinder through conduit and outwardly of such cylinder through conduit 96. It will be apparent that this enables movement of the gate into lower position across the discharge end 42 of the ramming chamber 41.

As the gate 93 closes, the knife edge 94 thereof cuts through the compressed materials severing the ejected material from that remaining in the chamber 41. The apparatus is then in condition for a subsequent cycle of operation and each successive cycle is carried out in the fully automatic manner described.

It will be understood that the hydraulic system provides for synchronized movement of the gate 93 with the ramming platen 76. The gate is adapted to open when the ramming platen creates a predetermined pressure, against the materials being compressed in the ramming chamber 41. Further, the gate is adapted to close in response to a predetermined lower pressure existing in the cylinder 7 8 controlling the movements of the ramming platen. As previously explained, the ramming platen may have to, and generally does, go through several cycles of operation before enough material can be collected in the ramming chamber to build up pressure to open the gate. When the delivery throat of the rectangular portion 61 is maintained full of materials to be compressed and after the ramming platen has once gone through several initial cycles of operation, the predetermined pressure at which gate 93 is adapted to open will occur upon each successive compression stroke of the ramming platen. Thus the operation during a full cycle will cons'istof movement of the ramming platen to compressing position, squeezing of the material against the gate, opening of the gate, ejection of a quantity of fully compressed materials, retraction of the ramming platen and closure of the gate to sever the discharge materials from that left in the chamber. This provides a continuous cycle of operation where it is only necessary to feed the delivery throat and to carry away materials discharged from the chamber.

The foregoing makes it readily apparent that this invention offers several advantages in enabling high compression pressures, continuous and automatic operation and collection and segregation of expressed juices, fluids or solid materials. The apparatus is sturdy and durable in construction and is partially enclosed to prevent spraying of extracted juices exteriorly of the device.

Although I have herein shown and described my invention in what I have conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an automatic compress having a ramming chamber providing an inlet opening therein for the reception of materials to be compressed and a discharge opening, a ram mounted in the chamber for reciprocal movement between a compression position and a retracted position relatively toward and from the discharge opening respectively, a closure member mounted in the compress for reciprocal movement between a chamber blocking position transversely of the chamber in closing relation to the discharge opening and a position retracted therefrom,

an hydraulic cylinder having a piston reciprocal therein connected to the ram for actuation thereof, an hydraulic cylinder having a piston reciprocal therein connected in controlling relation to the closure member, a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, a pair of reversing valves individually connected between said source and the hydraulic cylinders operable to reverse the direction of fluid flow respectively in each hydraulic cylinder against the piston therein, a pair of triggering valves individually connected between the source of hydraulic pressure and the reversing valve associated with the hydraulic cylinder for the ram for operating such reversing valve upon actuation of the triggering valves, means mounted on the ram for successively actuating the triggering valves in the compression and in the retraction positions of the ram respectively, and a pair of pressure responsive valves one of which is set for a predetermined high pressure and the other of which is set for a predetermined low pressure individually connected between the reversing valve for the closure member and the hydraulic cylinder for the ram on opposite sides of the piston therein, the high pressure valve being connected to the cylinder on the side of the piston against which hydraulic pressure is exerted for extending the ram into compression position whereby said valve actuates the reversing valve of the closure member to retract the closure member when the pressure exerted to motivate the ram exceeds a predetermined level and the low pressure valve actuates the reversing valve to close the closure member when the pressure on said low pressure valve falls below the setting thereof.

2. In an automatic compress providing an elongated ramming chamber adapted to receive materials to be compressed having opposite ends and a discharge outlet at one end, a closure member mounted transversely of the chamber for reciprocal movement between a position in closing relation to the discharge opening and a position retracted therefrom, a ram mounted in the chamber for reciprocal movement between a position extended toward the discharge outlet and a position retracted from the discharge outlet, powered means connected to the ram for continuously reciprocating the ram between said retracted position and said extended position whereby materials in the chamber are compressed between the ram and the closure member during movement of the ram to extended position, and control means interconnecting the drive means and closure member responsive to pressure exerted by the drive means on the ram moving the closure member into retracted position when said pressure exceeds a predetermined value during movement of the ram toward extended position and returning the closure member to closed position when said pressure is less than a predetermined value during retraction of the ram.

3. In an automatic compress having an elongated tubular ramming chamber providing an inlet opening for the reception of materials to be compressed and an axially disposed discharge outlet, a gate mounted transversely in the chamber for movement between a position closing the discharge outlet and a retracted position opening the outlet, an hydraulic gate control cylinder, a piston reciprocal in the cylinder and connected to the gate for reciprocating the gate between said positions, a ram mounted in the chamber for reciprocal movement toward and away from the discharge outlet between a fully extended position and a retracted position, an hydraulic ram control cylinder, a piston reciprocal in the ram control cylinder connected to the ram for reciprocating the ram between said retracted and fully extended positions, a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, means connected to the source and to the ram cylinder operable incident to movement of the ram into fully extended and retracted positions, respectively, to reverse the flow of fluid to the ram cylinder against the piston therein so as continuously to reciprocate the ram between extended and retracted positions whereby material in the chamber is compressed between the ram and the gate when the gate is closed and the ram moves to extended position, and means interconnecting the ram cylinder and the gate cylinder responsive to predetermined maximum pressure in the ram cylinder for actuating the gate control cylinder to open the gate and also to predetermined minimum pressure in the ram control cylinder for actuating the gate control cylinder to close the gate, whereby the gate is opened while the ram is still moving toward the discharge outlet and pressure is maintained on the material prior to and during its discharge from the chamber and whereby the ram reaches fully extended position after said material has been discharged.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 701,882 Holden June 10, 1902 723,702 Minning Mar. 24, 1903 806,991 Oliver Dec. 12, 1905 1,135,309 Meakin Apr. 13, 1915 2,705,916 Millgard Apr. 12, 1955 2,763,202 Gramelspacher Sept. 18, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 44,548 France Nov. 26, 1934 (1st Add. to 713,880)

323,273 Germany July 19, 1920 

